Hat for a Prince Charlie Outfit... not Balmoral or Gelngary

[EricCable]

Hello,

What would be a good formal hat to wear with a Prince Charlie highland formal outfit? Neither Glengary nor Balmoral would be appropriate for this occasion.

thanks!

[The Wizard of BC]

The Prince Charlie Coatee is the kilt equivalent of the Tuxedo. It is only worn for events where a tuxedo is appropriate.

Therefore no hat is worn.

[Jock Scot]

Whilst bare headed is the usual option, there is nothing wrong with the balmoral or glengary when worn to and from the event and assuming that the event is indoors------unless there is some very special reason( piper, religious aspects, etc..) for wearing a bonnet indoors------ then of course, the bonnet is removed when entering the building. If the weather is bad then frankly common sense trumps fashion and traditions and anything will do! An umbrella is always a good option too and particularly so, if you are accompanied by a lady.

[Spartan Tartan]

If the traditional headwear is not appropriate with a traditional outfit, then I am confused...

Personally, I would not prefer to wear a hat of any sort. That is just me, but then I would rarely wear a hat when kilted.

[Jock Scot]

If the traditional headwear is not appropriate with a traditional outfit, then I am confused...

Personally, I would not prefer to wear a hat of any sort. That is just me, but then I would rarely wear a hat when kilted.

Its one of those; "its just not done" things. You can if you want, but-----------.

[Spartan Tartan]

Right you are, Jock. My confusion is when asking for advice about headgear, despite preferences or personal taste, how can otherwise traditional headgear be inappropriate for a traditional outfit?

If the question is due to religious preferences, I don't know this to be the case, but if that be the case then I would think the religious headwear worn without a kilt and PC would be equally appropriate when kilted.

If the question is just to avoid wearing a balmoral or glengary (which I too would avoid), then as you say, there is no reason to wear a hat of anysort. No requirement to do so anyway. Again, I would avoid wearing a hat or any sort of headgear when dressed more formally. The situation almost always requires the removal of such and then I am stuck with having to hold or figure out what to do with my hat. Obviously, if it is a religious item, then removal is not going to be an issue.

[Jock Scot]

Any well organised event will have staff and facilities available to hang up assorted coats, Inverness capes, bonnets of any type, umbrellas, etc.,so one should have no need to spend time clutching your surplus attire during the event. Be warned though, Clan badges can and do grow legs whilst in temporary storage, so make sure that the fastenings are welded together. I kid you not!-------------------- Which is probably why bonnets are not generally worn with formal attire to formal events.

[EricCable]

OK, let me explain: I am going to be installed as the Master of my Masonic Lodge and am going to wear the full Prince Charlie for the event. The Master of a Masonic lodge is required to wear a hat. In fact, he’s the only person permitted to wear a hat in the lodge. There is a lot of off-and-on with the hat as well which is why I don’t think a Glengarry nor a Balmoral would be appropriate.

I own a Christie’s derby which I would use for ‘regular’ meeting where I will be wearing a suit, but I don’t think that would go with the Prince Charlie. Maybe I’ll go with a top hat.

[McMurdo]

Jock
To avoid my Clan badge from growing legs I usually take it off and put it in my sporran. Once at an event where I kept my Balmoral with me it fell off and hit the floor, a kindly honest woman pointed it out to me. As for hats with a PC I agree any hat to battle the elements will do, upon entering a room it comes off anyway. Personally I wear a Balmoral.

[Father Bill]

Eric, the Glengarry is fairly easy to remove and replace compared to the Balmoral. To my eye either a top hat or derby would look rather silly with a kilt in Lodge, and few other styles match the level of formality. Like it or not, wear a Glengarry.

Father Bill+
Past Grand Chaplain,
Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario